Saturday, October 19, 2024:
Joy Story with Jesus (morning)
Joshua 1:1-9
God Commissions Joshua
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Psalm 1:2 HCSB
Instead, his delight is in the Lord's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.
Pondering Point
It seems the Psalmist may have drawn this portion of His psalm from the instruction God gave Joshua as he took over leadership of God’s people from Moses. Those were some big sandals to fill. Yet the promise was that God would be with him – the same thing Jesus promises to His disciples. That same promise from Jesus is true for you as His disciple as well. In fact, as you delight in the Lord's instruction, meditating on it day and night, you can do so with Jesus. He knows a thing or two about that material!
Pray aloud
Lord God, I pray that my life emulates the psalmist by delighting in Your instruction and learning to meditate on it – and You – day and night.
Five Minutes
Use your GO TO JOYS and ANTICIPATED JOYS to fill a 5-minute window. Remember: use an alarm. If necessary, review the explanation.
Read the identity in Christ
statement aloud
In Jesus, we are the kind of people who delight is in God's instruction and meditate on it day and night.
Closing Prayer
Close with thanks to God for these moments together.
Ask Him to bless the upcoming day, then…
GO – in JOY, with JOY anticipating JOY
From the book Joyful Journey:
Spiritual maturity grows when we develop the habit of creating space where we can reflect on our lives. Regularly practicing Immanuel journaling is asking one simple question, "Jesus, is there anything You want me to know about this situation?" As we attempt to listen, we are increasing our awareness of God's presence as His peace guides our lives.
~ Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow, Joyful Journey, pages 44, 45.
Saturday, October 19, 2024:
Sometime During Your Day
Level 3: Savoring joys of the past.
Pondering Point
Psalm 1:2 has been translated “meditate.” הגה hâghâh (Strong’s Concordance) means to "to moan, mutter, muse, meditate, or mourn," neatly alliterating 5 M words in English and can also extend to "groaning and growling" as of a lion over its prey (Isaiah 31:4). But how does one study or meditate on the Law of the Lord?
From the book Joyful Journey:
If you grew up in a church where you were taught that God would only speak through the Bible, it can be very challenging for you to venture into writing down your impression of God outside of what the Bible says exactly. In this case feel free to write down the Bible verses as God's response to you. Afterwards, run a simple test by asking yourself, “Does this feel and sound and feel like Jesus is right here next to me, speaking to me? If your answer is “Yes,” then great. If your answer is “No” or “I am not sure,” read the verses aloud to yourself. Is Jesus right next to you personally speaking the Bible verses as God's tender and caring response to you? Afterwards, personalize and write the verses in a conversational way. See if this gives you a sense that God personally spoke to you…. The value of writing down God's written words in a conversational and personal way is to increase our attachment with God.
~ Wilder, Kang, Loppnow, Loppnow, Joyful Journey, page 69.
Journal Prompt:
Joyful memories that occurred on the job:
Key Words:
Benevolent Detachment
Remember Wild at Heart’s daily pause activity defined as Benevolent Detachment.
Click here if you need a reminder about this activity.
Benevolent Detachment Prayer
I give everyone and everything to You God;
I give everyone and everything to You.
Joy Story with Jesus (evening)
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Psalm 1:2 HCSB
his delight is in the Lord's instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
Pondering Point
Many people have learned the value of starting the day well -- and the effort required to "right" a day that has gotten off on the wrong foot. The relational skills we are learning to apply in our faith life as disciples are wonderful for helping us right such a day. But it is easier to intentionally (habitually) start the day with GO-TO joys to set the tone. Practicing these joy exercises while preparing this material has brought that truth into sharp contrast for me. I have prayed that God would instill value into you and help you implement it in your life. This evening, we try something different. For your five minutes, pick a verse or two that you enjoy and think about it with Jesus – meditate on it. Find delight in His Word.
Pray aloud
Lord Jesus, help me find joy in obeying Your Law, and to study it, to study You – to meditate upon You and Your Word, day and night. Amen.
Listening to God
I invite you to meditate on Me as you read My word. I reveal My character through My Word.
Review
Scour the day for ANTICIPATED or SURPRISE JOYS. You are training your brain to look for joy. This builds the habit. Recall the body sensations and emotion.
This solidifies the habit. Remember: use an alarm
Read the identity in Jesus
statement aloud
In Jesus, we are the kind of people who delight is in God's instruction and meditate on it day and night.
Evening Prayer
Thank God for blessing the day, ask for peaceful rest, then GO to sleep – in grateful JOY, anticipating new JOY tomorrow under His grace.